Closure for collapsible tubes



April 21, 1936.

A. RElSMAN CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed Jan. 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY 3 W'I TQRNEY April A REISMAN CLOSURE FOR GOLLAPSI BLE TUBES Filed Jan. 12, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 iilili 5 2 AND? INVENTOR WW #QORNE? Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in closures for tubular elements such as collapsible tubes employed in the use of powdered or pasty material such as dentifrice altho the device may be employed with any container to control the discharge of material therefrom.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple slide means for controlling the opening and closing of the entrance to the tube.

A further object is to provide a simple latch means which acts as an operating element to move the slide plate and provided with cooperating means whereby its position in certain positions of the slide plate is limited.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and durable unit which may be manufactured separate from the tube if desired H and applied thereto as a unit in any suitable manner such as by welding, screwing, soldering and the like.

Further and more specific objects, features and advantages will more clearly appear from a consideration of the specification hereinafter set 5 forth when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification and which illustrate present preferred forms of the invention.

Briefly and broadly considered, the invention 30 includes a base member which can be suitably fastened on to the breast of a container such as a tube of tooth paste. This base has an apertured neck and a lateral extension thereon. The aperture in the neck is opened and closed by means of a slide plate movable back and forth in suitable grooves in the side walls of the base. The slide plate is movable by contact of the fingers of the operator with an operating bar or cap plate pivoted to the slide plate and adapted when the slide plate is in closed position to be swung forward to a closed position over the outer end of the slide plate. When the slide plate is moved to the position to open the tube then the cap plate or bar 1 has to be first swung up and back and then the slide plate can be moved to open position. When in this position the cap plate or bar cannot be swung to closed position because means such as fingers thereon lie close adjacent to walls of the base or a central overhanging latch or stop bar 50 to preventthis premature movement of the cap plate or bar.

The slide is also provided with suitable tits to cooperate with recesses in the base to latch the 7 plate in its forward or closed position thus assisting in theretention of the slide plate to close cap plate removed; 10

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device;

Fig. 4 is a partial section of the same form showing the cap plate laid back;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same; 15

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the center of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a similar view, showing the parts in open position;

Fig. 9 is a broken plan view of another modifica- 20 tion;

Fig. .10 is a plan view of still another modification;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section through Fig. 10; and,

Fig. 13 is a similar view with the parts in open position.

As shown in the drawings the invention is adapted to be applied to the upper end of a collapsible or other form of tube [0 which may contain any material such as tooth paste or the like. This tube maybe provided with a breast ll.

The device comprising the invention herein has a base or body portion comprising a neck [2 with a lateral extension l2. This neck has an aperture l3 therein disposed over the aperture [4 in the breast ll, whereby the material in the tube Ill may pass outward through these two apertures. The sides of this neck and extension are pro- 40 vided with over-hung shoulders I5 and with a depression IS on the top surface of the neck and extension just back of the aperture I3.

A slide plate, I! rests on the top of the neck and extension and has outwardly extending over- 4!, turned edges 18 which pass around and under the shoulders or edges 15 so as to clamp the slide plate I! firmly and yet slidably in place on top of the neck l2 and extension l2. At the rear of the plate I! are upwardly extending ears forming 5 journals I9 for a shaft 20. This shaft 20 acts as a pivot for a cover plate 2| which has rearward integral eyes 2| embracing the shaft 20. The cover plate 2| has a forward face 22 which is slightly bent to snap over the front edge of the neck I 2 when in the closed position shown in Fig. 3. The cap plate 21 is also provided with a lining of cork 23 or similar material to protect the cover from the paste material which may issue from the tube In.

The cover plate 2| also is provided with a central rearwardly extending latch finger or element 24 with its outer edge slightly bent as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When the cover plate 2| is in the closed position shown in Fig. 3, this bent edge lies just within and below the edge of the depression 16 and prevents the cover plate 2| from being moved longitudinally rearward until it is swung up and back to the position shown in Fig. 4. It will be observed that when the cover plate 2| is to be moved from the closed to the open position the latch element 24 will swing downwardly into the depression I6 and then will assume the position shown in Fig. 4. But when the slide plate I I is then pulled back to open the aperture l3 the latch element 24 is then lying on top of the surface of the neck l2 and extension l2 and can not be moved to its closed position at least until the slide plate has been moved back to the position shown in Fig. 4. This then provides a suflicient and effective bar to the cover plate being closed until the other parts are in the proper position for such an action to take place. This device is simple and economical to make and is efficient in operation and of relatively few parts.

As shown in Figs. 5 to 8 the device comprising this form of the invention has a base comprising neck I2 with extension I 2 which can be fastened to the breast II in any desired manner. This neck has an aperture I 3 therein disposed over the aperture [4 in the breast l l whereby the material in the tube may pass outward through these two apertures.

The upper side walls of the neck l2 and extension l2 in this form are provided with longitudinally extending slots such as 25, (see Figs. 8 and 9) adapted to act as guideways for a closure plate I! which slides back and forth therein. In one position of this plate l'l it is disposed to close the opening l3 to prevent the discharge of material and in another position thereof it acts to permit the discharge of the material since it is then drawn back so as not to cover the aperture 13.

The rear of the plate I! is provided with upturned ears 2B in the form shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive. These act as pivots or journals for the inwardly turned fingers 2'! disposed on the rear of the operating cap plate 28. By grasping this cap plate, the slide plate I! can be moved back and forth as desired. When the device is in closed position the cap plate 28 is disposed in its forwardly bent position as shown in Figs. 5 to 7, and acts as an additional cover. When in this forward position the cap plate 28 may be latched therein by reason of the provision on the rear edge thereof of the latch arm 29 which, as shown in Fig. 7, is adapted to lie under the arm 30 extending from the rear of the top of the neck [2 and extension 12' in a forward direction.

When the cap plate 28 is swung upward and backward, then the slide plate I! can be moved to the rear to expose the aperture l3 and permit the discharge of the material. When in the rearward position as shown in Fig. 8, the cap plate 28 can not be swung over to its closed position because then the latch arm 29 is lying closely over the latch bar 30 which prevents such a movement of the cap plate 28 which is really the operating element for the device. It will also be noticed that the rear under face of the slide plate I! is provided with a tit 3| adapted, when the plate is in its closed position to lie in a recess 32 in the bottom wall of the neck I 2 so as to hold or latch the plate in this closed position.

In the form shown in Fig. 9 the cap plate 28 is omitted and the latch arm 29 is operated by means of a simple arm or handle bar 33 which is, however, pivotally connected to the slide plate I! as above described for the cap plate 28.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 to 13, the rear of the slide plate I! is provided with a sleeve-like journal element 34 to receive the fingers 35 on the rear of the cap plate 28. This cap plate 28, instead of having the rearwardly extending central latch arm 29 as in the forms shown in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, has a pair of latch arms such as 36, extending back from the rear of the sides of the cap plate 28 and adapted when the plate is in the position shown in Fig. 10 to lie housed in a sort of recess such as 31 formed in the side walls of the neck l2 and extension l2. When the slide plate I1 is drawn back and the cap plate is in the position shown in Fig. 13, then the latch arms 36 lie over the top of the side walls of the neck [2 and extension I2 and prevent the cap plate from being swung up and over until the slide plate IT is moved forwardly to the closing position again.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides a simple, eflicient and useful construction adapted to cooperate with the neck of a tubular member to control the discharge of material therefrom. The closure means may be operated by the fingers of the same hand that holds the tube of material. To open the tube the finger merely flips back the cap plate or the cap bar or handle and then pushes the slide plate backward until the aperture I3 is exposed whereupon the material can be discharged either by spilling it from the tube or by forcing it out by collapsing the tube if of soft metal. When the cap plate or bar is turned back and the slide plate is moved back, the cap plate or the bar cannot be swung over to closed position because of the fingers 36, or the latch bar 29, or the latch elements 24 depending upon which form of the invention is being employed.

The operation and use of this device in connection with tubes permits the material to be better preserved and kept, from deleterious contact with dirt dust and the air which would tend to damage it. It also avoids the condition where the ordinary cap is lost and the neck of the tube is left constantly open.

While the invention has been described in detail and with respect to a present preferred form or forms thereof, it is not to be limited to such details and forms since many changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest aspects. Hence it is desired to cover any and all forms and modifications of the invention which may come within the language or scope of any one or more of the appended claims.

What I claim is:--

1. In combination, a container having an open breast for the discharge of material, a base element comprising an apertured neck having a lateral extension associated with said breast, a slide plate on said neck and neck extension element and manually operable, a cap plate pivoted to said slide plate, and means to hold said cap plate in a predetermined position when the slide plate is moved to open position.

2. In combination, a container having an open breast for the discharge of material, a base element comprising an apertured neck having a lateral extension associated with said breast, a slide plate on said neck and neck extension element and manually operable, means for latching said slide plate in closed position, a cap plate pivoted to said slide plate, and means to hold the cap plate in a predetermined position when the slide plate is moved to open position.

3. In combination, a container having an open breast for the discharge of material, a base element comprising an apertured neck having a lateral extension associated with said breast, a slide plate on said neck and neck extension element and manually operable, a cap element pivoted to the slide plate, said cap element having an open and a closed position, means to prevent the movement of the slide plate to open position when the cap element is in closed position, and means to prevent the cap element moving to closed position until the slide plate is moved to closed position.

4. In combination, a container having an open breast for the discharge of material, a base element comprising an apertured neck having a lateral extension associated with said breast, a slide plate on said neck and neck extension element and manually operable, a cap element pivoted to the slide, said cap element having an open and a closed position, a latch finger on said cap element, said finger adapted to lie beneath a portion of the wall of the neck and neck extension element when the cap element is in closed position to prevent the opening movement of the slide plate, said finger also adapted to lie above and abutting a portion of the wall of the neck and neck extension element when the cap element lies in open position to permit the slide plate to be moved to open position and to prevent the movement of the cap element to closed position until the slide plate has been moved back to closed position.

5. In combination, a container having an open breast for the discharge of material, a base element comprising an apertured neck having a lateral extension associated with said breast, a slide plate on said neck and neck extension element and manually operable, a cap element pivoted to the slide plate, said cap element having an open and a closed position, a latch finger on said cap element, said finger adapted to lie beneath a portion of the wall of the neck and neck extension element when the cap element is in closed position to prevent the opening movement of the slide plate, said finger also adapted to lie above and abutting a portion of the wall of the neck and neck extension element when the cap element lies in open position to permit the slide plate to be moved to open position and to prevent the movement of the cap element to closed position until the slide plate has been moved back to closed position, and means to latch the slide plate in closed position.

6. A closure device for tubes comprising a neck and neck extension element having grooved side walls, a slide plate movable in said grooves, said neck and neck extension element having an aperture adapted to be exposed when the slide plate is moved back from closed to open position, a projecting arm on said neck and neck extension element, a cap element pivoted to the slide plate, a latch finger on said cap element, said finger adapted to lie under said projecting arm when the slide plate is in closed position and adapted to lie above said projecting arm when the slide plate is moved to open position.

'7. A closure device for tubes comprising a neck and neck extension element having grooved side walls, a slide plate movable in said grooves, said neck and neck extension element having an aperture adapted to be exposed when the slide plate is moved back from closed to open position, a cap plate pivoted to said slide plate, a latch finger on said cap element, said neck and neck extension element having recesses into which said finger lies when theslide plate is in closed position, said finger adapted to lie above the side wall of the neck and neck extension element when the slide plate is moved to open position.

8. In combination, a container having an open breast for the discharge of material, a base element comprising an apertured neck having a lateral extension associated with said breast and having an aperture therein, a slide plate on said neck and neck extension element and manually operable, laterally extending undercut shoulders formed in the neck and neck extension element. said slide plate having side edges formed and bent around and under said shoulders to slidably fasten the slide plate to the neck and neck extension element, said slide plate having upright ears thereon, a shaft journalled in said ears, a cap plate pivoted to said shaft, and a latch element extending from the rear of the cap plate, said neck and. neck extension element having a depression into which the latch element extends when the cap plate is swung around, said latch element having a bent rear edge to lie just below one edge of said depression when the cap plate is in closed position to prevent the rearward movement of the cap plate until it is swung over to open position.

ADOLPH REISMAN. 

